Political & Social History

Civil War

Several historic sites represent the Civil War period in Prince George’s County including Fort Foote and Fort Washington which were used to defend the Nation’s Capital, and the Mary Surratt House that John Wilkes Booth used to escape after his assassination of President Lincoln at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. in 1865.

Political History

Because of Prince George’s County’s close association with the Nation’s Capital it is often the setting for political movements and events. Many prominent statesmen and politicians resided in the communities of Riversdale, Mattaponi in Croom, St. James Hill in Piscataway, Marietta, and Oxon Hill Manor.

Social History

The theme of social history is represented in the characteristics of Prince George’s County historic sites. The Bladensburg Dueling Grounds represented the late-18th and early-19th century practice of dueling, while the sport of hunting is represented in the Marlboro Hunt Club.

Special activities, programs, and events are held at our Historic sites throughout the year.